Closure device

ABSTRACT

A closure device for a container of compressed gas, particularly a capsule having a water capacity in the range of 5 to 100 ml, comprises a shut-off valve  122  and a pressure-reducing valve  120 , particularly a pressure regulating valve. The shut-off valve  122  is on the lower pressure side of the pressure-reducing valve  120 . The closure device may also comprise a fill valve  118  to enable the container to be recharged with gas.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/181,541, filed 13 Jul. 2011 which has beenallowed. This application claims priority thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to closure device for a container of compressedgas, particularly such a container which is of a sufficiently small sizethat it is able to be carried about the person or is able to be loadedin or fitted to a handheld device that delivers gas therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been known for 100 years or more to store compressed gases in agas cylinder. A conventional gas cylinder is relatively large and is notcapable of being carried in comfort about the person or of being loadedinto a handheld device. The gas cylinder typically stores gas at apressure of up to 300 bar. The gas may be a permanent gas, in which caseit remains in the gaseous phase, or a non-permanent gas which can beliquefied by the application of a sufficiently large pressure. The gascylinder is closed by a shut-off valve. The valve is able to be openedmanually to release the gas. Typically, although the gas is stored at avery high pressure, it is not required at such pressure. The usertherefore typically fits a pressure regulator or other pressure-reducingvalve to the cylinder in order to reduce the delivery pressure to asuitable value. The pressure reducing valve is therefore locateddownstream of the shut-off valve. Typical shut-off valves are configuredso as to enable the cylinder to be filled. More recently, cylindervalves with integrated pressure regulators have been used. In all thesecases the fill valve and the pressure regulator are downstream of theshut-off valve.

If the container of compressed gas is required to be fitted to a small,typically hand-held device, for example a soda-siphon or a creamwhipper, a conventional thermal gas cylinder fitted with a cylindervalve is not used. Instead, the necessary gas is contained underpressure in a capsule having a water capacity of up to 100 ml. Thecapsule normally has a closure in the form of a pierceable seal. Thecapsule is engaged with a device including a hollow needle that piercesthe seal in order to deliver gas. Such arrangements are generally usedeither when the gas concerned is a non-permanent gas stored primarily inthe liquid state, or when it is desirable to release the gas as quicklyas possible. In the former example, the rate of delivery of gas islimited by the rate at which the gas vaporises. The need for adownstream pressure reducing valve, for example a pressure regulator, istherefore typically reduced. In the latter example, the need to deliverthe gas as quickly as possible for example, to inflatable devices suchas air bags, means that a pressure-reducing valve should not be used.

There is, however, a need for a closure device for a small container ofcompressed gas which makes possible delivery of the gas at a reducedpressure and which avoids the use of pierceable or puncturable seals,such seals rendering the reuse of the containers sufficientlyinconvenient for them normally to be thrown away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a closure devicefor a container of compressed gas, the closure device comprising ashut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve, characterised in that theshut-off valve is located on the lower pressure side of thepressure-reducing valve.

The invention also provides a container of compressed gas, typically acapsule or other container that is able to be held in the hand, thecontainer being fitted with a closure device according to the invention.

The closure device and container according to the invention are suitablefor the storage of either a permanent gas or a non-permanent gas.

The pressure-reducing valve is typically a pressure regulator.

The closure device comprises an external body housing the shut-off valveand the pressure-reducing valve, the external body being engagable withthe container of compressed gas.

The external body comprises a first member engagable with the containerof compressed gas and having a gas inlet and a second member includingan outlet for the gas and housing the shut-off valve. The external bodydefines a passageway between the inlet and the outlet.

The terms “inlet” and “outlet” are used herein with reference to theclosure device when it is being used to deliver gas to an appliance orthe like.

The first member of the external body has a first internal chamberhousing a fill valve including an internal body member, the firstinternal chamber communicating with the interior of the container whenthe closure device is an engagement therewith.

The first member of the external body typically has a fill portcommunicating with the first internal chamber.

The said inner body member typically cooperates with a spring-loadedO-ring sealing member to seal the fill port from the interior of thecontainer when the closure is an engagement therewith, the O-ringsealing member being displaceable from its sealing position against thespring-loading by a gas pressure applied to the filling port.

Typically there is retaining nut for retaining the inner body member inposition.

The inner body member defines part of the passageway between the saidinlet and the said outlet.

The internal body member defines a seat for the pressure-reducing valve.

The first internal chamber typically communicates with a bursting dischoused in the first external body member.

There are a number of possible configurations for the pressure-reducingvalve in order for it to act to regulate the downstream pressure. In onesuch arrangement, the pressure-reducing valve comprises an inner caphoused within the valve body, the inner cap bounding in part a secondinternal chamber within the valve body, the second internal chamberbeing in communication with the said inlet when the pressure-reducingvalve is open; and a spring-loaded piston contained within the valvebody, the piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod, the pistonrod including a conduit forming part of the said passageway andproviding communication between the second internal chamber and a gasspace defined between the piston head and the shut-off valve, whereinthe piston is operable to move between a closed configuration in whichthe piston rod prevents communication between the gas inlet and thesecond internal chamber and an open configuration in which the pistonrod permits communication between the gas inlet and the second internalchamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the piston head is in a sealing engagementwith the valve body via a piston head seal and the piston rod is in asealing engagement with the inner cap via a piston rod seal containedwithin the second internal chamber, the piston rod seal being held in afixed position within the chamber. Such an arrangement makes it possibleto keep down the diameter of the piston rod and therefore facilitatesthe manufacture of the closure device to a size suitable for a containerthat it is capable of being held in the hand.

The first external body member typically comprises a collar, and thepiston rod and seal is held between the collar and the inner gap. Themain gas passageway typically extends through the collar. In such anarrangement, a first part of the main passageway terminates in anorifice adjacent to the second internal chamber, and the piston rodcomprises a sealing pin at an end remote from the piston head, thepiston rod being arrangement within the external body so that thesealing pin seals the orifice when the piston is in the closed position.

The tip of the sealing pin is conveniently chamfered to a point, and thepiston rod is arranged within the external body so that the tip of thesealing pin enters into and seals the orifice when the piston is in theclosed position. The chamfering of the tip of the sealing pin and thearrangement of the piston rod within the valve body are such that thesealing pin is typically caused to be centred within the orifice as thetip of the sealing pin enters the orifice when the piston moves from theopen position to the closed position.

The orifice typically has a diameter of approximately 0.3 mm.

The pressure reducing valve typically further comprises a compressionspring ranged within the external body to bias the piston towards theopen position.

The compression spring typically encircles the inner cap and extendsbetween a surface of the inner cap and a surface of the piston head.

A recess may be provided in the piston head and the compression springmay extend between the surface of the inner cap into the recess.

Typically the inner cap is in a sealing engagement with the firstexternal body member via an inner cap seal, whereby build up of pressurewithin the second internal chamber, in the event it occurs, is operableto cause the said sealing arrangement to break, enabling the gas withinthe second internal chamber to be vented via a relief aperture providedin the second external body member.

The shut-off valve typically comprises a spring-loaded head which whenthe shut-off valve is in a closed position makes a sealing engagementwith a valve seat via a shut-off valve seal, but which is displaceableagainst the bias of the spring to open the shut-off valve.

The spring of the shut-off valve is typically is a disc spring.

The inlet to the main passageway may receive a purge tube which extendsinto the container and terminates therein at a position remote from theclosure device.

Typically, the closure device is in welded engagement with thecontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A closure device and container according to the invention will now bedescribed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is schema illustrating a typical configuration of the closuredevice;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional elevation of one embodiment of the kindof closure device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional elevation of a second embodiment of thekind of closure device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional elevation of a third embodiment of thekind of closure device shown in FIG. 1, the device being closed; and;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional elevation of the device shown in FIG. 4,but in the open position.

The drawings are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a capsule 102 adapted to storecompressed gas at elevated pressure. The chosen elevated pressure if thecompressed gas is a permanent gas, for example, helium or oxygen ormixtures of helium and oxygen, maybe in the order of 190 bar, but may behigher or lower. Non-permanent gases, for example, carbon dioxide ornitrous oxide, are typically stored at lower pressures in the range of50-100 bar. The capsule 102 is typically of a size and shape such thatit may readily held in an adult human hand. It typically has a watercapacity in the range of 5-100 ml, but larger sizes are possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule 102 is typically generally cylindricalin shape. It is formed with a mouth 104. The capsule 102 is providedwith a closure device 106. The closure device 106 has an external body108 welded or otherwise secured (for example, by screw threads)fluid-tight to the external surface of the capsule 102 defining themouth 104. The external body 108 of the closure device 106 typically hasa diameter no greater than 20 mm at its widest point.

The body 108 has a passageway 110 extending axially therethrough betweenan inlet 112 communicating with the interior of the capsule 102 and anoutlet 114 which typically has a configuration that enables thecombination of the capsule 102 and the closure device 106 to beconnected to a user device. In one example, the user device may be ahand-held generator of a non-thermal gaseous plasma. In another example,the user device may be a pair of nasal cannulae for administering oxygenor a life sustaining mixture of helium and oxygen to a personexperiencing breathing difficulties. If desired, the user device (notshown) may be configured such that when mated with the outlet 114 of theclosure device 106 it is effective to open the closure device 106 andthereby cause delivery of gas to the user device.

The inlet 112 to the passageway 110 may receive a purge tube 116 whichextends into the interior of the gas capsule and terminates therein at aregion remote from the mouth 104, typically a region close to the bottomof the interior of the capsule 102.

The external body 108 of the closure device 106 houses three differentvalves, namely a fill valve 118, a pressure-regulating (orpressure-reducing) valve 120, and a shut-off valve 122. Thepressure-regulating valve 120 is located upstream of the shut-off valve122. In other words, the shut-off valve 122 is on the lower pressureside of the pressure-regulating valve 120. On the other hand, the fillvalve 118 is on the higher pressure side of the pressure regulatingvalve 120.

When the fill valve 118 is closed it shuts off communication between theinterior of the capsule 102 and a fill port 124 formed at the externalsurface of the body 108. When the fill valve 118 is open, however,communication between the fill port 124 and the interior of the capsule102 is essentially unimpeded. In both the open position and the closedposition of the fill valve 118 there is communication between theinterior of the capsule 102 and the upstream or high pressure side ofthe pressure-regulating valve 120.

The pressure-regulating valve 120 has a configuration which distributesforces acting on a valve member (not shown in FIG. 1) of thepressure-reducing valve 120 in a valve-opening direction and are thoseacting in a valve-closing direction such that the effect of the absolutevalue of the gas pressure in the capsule 102 is relatively small andtherefore changes in that pressure have only a relatively small, if any,effect on the downstream gas pressure delivered by the combination ofthe capsule 102 and closure device 106. In this way, thepressure-reducing valve, acts to regulate the downstream pressure.

The configuration of the pressure regulator 120 may be such as todeliver a chosen pressure in the range of 1 bar to 3 bar absolutesubstantially independently of the pressure in the capsule 102.

The shut-off valve 122 typically has a valve member (not shown inFIG. 1) which is biased into a valve-closing position by the pressure ofa spring (also not shown in FIG. 1). When the shut-off valve 122 is inthe closed position, the pressure-regulating valve 120 closes of its ownaccord.

As previously described, connection of the closure device 106 to a userdevice (not shown) causes a force to be applied to the shut-off valve122 to hold it open against the bias of the aforementioned spring. Gaswill then be delivered from the capsule. Gas will then be delivered fromthe capsule 102 to the user device.

When the gas capsule 102 is exhausted, it may be refilled through thefill port 124. If desired, a nozzle 126 (or other connector) may befitted in the fill port 124 to enable the capsule 102 to be connected toa source (not shown in FIG. 1) of refill gas under a suitable pressure.Refill gas thus flows into the capsule 102 in order to re-charge it. Thearrangement is typically such that the refill gas enters via refillpassages (not shown in FIG. 1) formed in the closure device 104. If therefill gas is of a different composition from the gas with which thecapsule 102 was previously charged, the shut-off valve 122 may be heldin an open position. As a result, the refill gas displaces residual gasfrom the capsule 102 through the purge tube 116 and out of the fillvalve 118. When a volume of gas approximately equal to the watercapacity of the capsule 102 has been displaced therefore by the refillgas, the shut-off valve 122 may be allowed to close, thus endingpurging. Continued flow of the refill gas into the capsule 102 causes itto be charged with the refill gas. When a chosen pressure has beenreached, the source of refill gas may be removed and the refill valve118 allowed to close.

The closure device 106 is typically fitted with a bursting disc 128which bursts to relieve the pressure in the capsule 102 should an excessof pressure be generated therein. The bursting disc 128 is thus able tocommunicate with the interior of the capsule 102 at all times,irrespective of the positioning of any of the valves 118, 120 and 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown one particular embodimentof the kind of arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1. There is thus shown inFIG. 2 a capsule 202 for the storage of a permanent or non-permanent gasessentially similar to the capsule 102 shown in FIG. 1. The capsule 202has a mouth 204. A closure device 206 engages in a fluid-tight mannerthe external surface of the mouth 204 of the capsule 202. There may be ascrew-threaded or welded seal therebetween. The welded seal may be madeby TIG welding. When full, the pressure in the gas capsule may be in theorder of 190 bar if the gas to be stored therein is a permanent gas.Higher or lower storage pressures may, however, be used.

The closure device 206 comprises an external body 208. The external body208 comprises a first body member 210 that effects the engagementbetween the mouth 204 of the capsule 202 and the closure device 206. Thefirst body member 210 engages a second body member 212. The first bodymember 210 has a first internal chamber 214 housing a fill valve 216which includes an inner body member 218. The first internal chamber 214communicates with the interior of the capsule 202. The first externalbody member 210 has a fill port 220 communicating with the firstinternal chamber 214. As shown in FIG. 2, the fill port 220 is fittedwith a nozzle 222 which is able to be connected to a source (not shown)of pressurised refill gas.

The inner body member 218 is retained in position by a retaining nut 224which engages the first body member 210. The inner body member 218 isformed with a recess which locates an O-ring sealing member 226 thatseals against a displaceable annular backing member 228. The backingmember 228 is urged by a compression spring 230 into a position in whichthe O-ring sealing member 226 prevents communication between the firstinternal chamber 214, and hence the interior of the capsule 202, and thefill port 220 if no refill gas pressure is applied to the fill port 220.On the other hand, if a source of refill gas is connected to the nozzle222 and a sufficient gas pressure is brought to bear on the remote sideof the O-ring sealing member 226 relative to the backing member 228, thepressure causes the O-ring to be displaced towards the gas capsule to alocation at which it no longer makes sealing engagement with the innerbody member 218. Refill gas is thus able then to flow into the firstinternal chamber 214. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the internalchamber 214 communicates with the interior of the gas capsule viapassages 231 formed in the retaining nut 224. (In an alternativearrangement, not shown, the passages 231 can be omitted and the firstinternal chamber can communicate with the second part 238 of the axialpassageway referred to hereinbelow.) Refill gas is thus able to enterthe interior of the gas capsule 202. Once the refill gas pressure isremoved, the bias of the compression spring 230 urges the O-ring sealingmember 226 back into a fill-valve sealing position.

The closure device 206 has an axial passageway 232 that extends betweenan inlet 234 provided through the centre of the retaining nut 224 to anoutlet 236 provided in the second external body member 212. A first partof the passageway 232 extends through the retaining nut 224. The firstpart of the axial passageway 232 is in register with a second part 238formed axially through the inner body member 218. The second part 238 ofthe axial passageway 232 terminates at its end more remote from thecapsule 202 in a narrow orifice 240. The orifice 240 is formed in a face242 of the inner body member 218 and has a circular rim which forms theseat of a pressure regulating valve 244 which typically takes the formof a needle valve. The seating arrangement for the needle (or pin)depends on its configuration. The pressure regulating valve 244determines the pressure of which gas issues from the closure device 206.When the pressure regulating valve 244 is open, gas passes from theorifice 240 into a bore (or second chamber) 246 of the first body member210, the bore 246 forming a third part of the passageway 232. The bore246 communicates with a shut-off valve 248 in an outlet region of theclosure device 206. The orifice 240 is provided in the centre of theface 242 of the inner body member 218. The orifice 240 has a narrowerbore that the rest of the second part 238 of the axial passageway 232.The orifice 240 typically has a diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm. This size isclose to the limit of size of hole that can be commercially drilled ormoulded, without special arrangements and excessive cost. The secondpart 238 of the axial passageway 232 can be made by drilling from theend of the inner body member 218 remote from the orifice 240. Thisarrangement simplifies manufacturing as it enables an orifice 240 with anarrow bore to be provided in the inner body member 218. In alternativeembodiments, the inner body member 218 can be made entirely as amoulding so as to reduce cost, particularly at higher manufacturingvolumes.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the pressureregulating valve 244 has an axially displaceable valve member in theform of a sealing pin (or needle) 250. The pin is guided by the bore 246of the first body member 210, which bore 246 forms part of the axialpassageway 232. The pin 250 has a chamfered tip 254 which is adapted tomake a sealing engagement with the mouth of the orifice 240. In order tofacilitate such engagement the inner body member 218 is preferablyformed of a plastics material such as nylon 66 or PEEK. In order toprevent any seepage of air into the gas passing through the pressureregulating valve 244, a further O-ring sealing member 256 is engagedbetween a top region (as shown) of the inner body member 218 and a wallof the cavity within the first external body member 210 in which theinner body member 218 is received.

The pin 250 is formed integral with or is connected to a hollow pistonrod 258. The rod 258 is formed with a plurality of apertures 260 (ofwhich one is shown in FIG. 2) such that in operation gas issuing fromthe orifice 240 is able to pass via the bore 246 through the apertures260 into the interior of the hollow piston rod 258. The interior of thepiston rod 258 thus forms a continuation of the axial passageway 232 andleads the gas to the shut-off valve 248.

The pressure-regulating valve 244 comprises an inner cap 262 housedwithin the second body member 212, the inner cap 262 being positionedover a collar 274 which is integral with the first body member 210 anddefines part of the bore 246. A further gas space 270 is providedadjacent the shut-off valve 248 and is bounded in part by the secondbody member 212 and also in part by a piston head 266 connected to thepiston rod 258. In operation, when the pressure regulating valve 244 isopen gas passes from the orifice 240 into the gas space 246, through theapertures 260 and into the interior of the hollow piston rod 258 andfrom there into the gas space 270. The piston head 266 is operable tomove in a third internal chamber 264 bounded by the second body member212 between a position in which the pressure regulating valve 244 isopen and a position in which the pin 250 closes the orifice 240 andhence the pressure regulating valve 244.

The piston head 266 is in a sealing engagement with the second bodymember 212 of the external valve body 208 via a piston head seal 268 inthe form of an O-ring and the piston rod 258 is in a sealing engagementwith the inner cap via a piston rod seal 272 also in the form of anotherO-ring located around the piston rod 258 within the inner cap 262.Typically, the sealing ring 272 is bonded to the inner cap 262. Even ifnot so bonded, displacement of the piston rod seal 272 would in anyevent be prevented the collar 274.

The pressure regulating valve 244 further comprises a compression spring276 arranged within the external body 208 to bias the piston head 266towards a position in which the pressure regulating valve 244 is open,the pin 250 failing to make a sealing engagement with the orifice 240.The compression spring 276 encircles the inner cap 262 and extendsbetween the external surface of the inner cap 262 and a surface of thepiston head 266. Typically a recess 278 is provided in the piston head266 and the compression spring 276 extends between a surface of theinner cap 262 into the recess 278.

In operation, the pressure regulating valve 244 typically reduces thepressure of the gas from a storage pressure to a delivery pressuretypically in the order of 1 to 3 bar. In order to facilitate thispressure reduction, the orifice 240 is typically of a narrow diameter,say in the range of 0.2-0.3 mm. The delivery pressure of gas remainsrelatively unaltered notwithstanding the fact that, in use, the pressurein the gas capsule 202 falls from a maximum value when full (say 190bar) to a minimum value of approaching 1 bar when nearly empty. Thearrangement of the pressure regulating valve 244 is such that in normalgas delivery operation a static equilibrium is achieved between forcesacting in a valve-opening direction and forces acting in a valve-closingdirection with the result that the pin 250 is maintained in a positionin which the pressure regulating valve 244 is open. This position isillustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The relationship between thepressure in the gas space 270 and the pressure in the gas space in thebore 246 when the pressure regulating valve 244 is in static equilibriumis as follows:

A ₁ P ₁+(A ₂ −A ₁)P ₂ F _(s) −P ₂ A ₃=0  Equation 1

where A₁ is the cross-sectional area of the orifice 240, A₂ is thecross-sectional area of the piston rod 258 contained within the pistonrod O-ring 272. A₃ is the cross-sectional area of the piston head 266,F_(s) is the force exerted by the compression spring 276, and P₁ and P₂are the pressures at which the gas leaves the orifice 240 and enters thegas space 270, respectively.

From the above, it follows that the extent to which the pressure P2varies at equilibrium as the pressure P1 varies is highly dependent uponthe cross-sectional area A1 of the orifice 240. Equation 1 can berearranged as follows:

P ₂=(A ₁ P ₁ +F _(s))/A ₃ −A ₂ +A ₁)  Equation 2

It can be deduced from Equation 2 that it is desirable to make the valueof A1P1 relatively small in comparison with the value of FS so as toachieve a pressure regulating effect. The table below illustrates thediameter of the piston head 266 required to maintain the outlet ordelivery pressure within plus or minus 5% of 3 bar as the pressure inthe gas capsule falls from a maximum of 200 bar to a minimum of 10 bar.

Typical Piston Orifice 240 Head 266 Diameter/mm Diameter/mm 0.1 2.8 0.25.7 0.3 8.5 0.4 11.3 0.5 14.1 0.6 17.0 0.7 19.8

It is to be understood from the Table that it is desirable to minimisethe diameter of the piston head 266 in order to achieve good pressureregulation. It is therefore desirable to minimise the diameter of theorifice 240. We recommend an orifice diameter in the order of 0.3 mmbecause such a diameter can be achieved by standard manufacturingmethods.

It is also follows from the static equilibrium equation that it isdesirable to minimise the effective cross-sectional area A2 of thepiston rod 258 as this value also has an effect on the required size anddimensions of the piston head 266 and therefore the overall dimensionsof the valve 244 itself. The effective diameter of the piston rod 266 isminimised by fixing the position of the piston rod O-ring seal 272within the inner cap 262 such that it does not move with the piston rod258.

If the size of the orifice is no greater than 0.3 mm it is possible tokeep the diameter of the valve 244 to below 20 mm.

If the shut-off valve 248 closes, for example, by removal of a memberconnecting the closure device 206 to a user device (not shown), thepressure in the bore 246 equalises with the pressure in the gas space270 bounded in part by the piston head 266. As a result, the net forceacting in a valve-closing direction becomes sufficient to overcome thebias of the compression spring 276 and the pressure regulating valve 244closes. To assist with aligning the pin 250 with the orifice 240, whenthe pressure regulating valve 244 closes, the tip 254 of the pin 250 ischamfered to a point. As the pin 250 enters the orifice 240, thechamfered portion may bear against the surface at the mouth of theorifice 240 and this will have a centring action on the pin 250. It istherefore not normally possible for the tip 254 of the pin 250 to comeinto contact and cause any damage to the wall of the inner body member218 defining the orifice 240.

The internal surface of the second body member 212 is provided with ashoulder 280. The shoulder 280 limits the upward (as shown) travel ofthe piston head 266. The shoulder 280 ensures that when the shut-offvalve 248 is open with a valve-member 282 (described below) extendinginto the gas space 270, there can be no contact between the valve member282 and the piston head 266.

The closure device 206 has the following features to ensure that anyexcess pressure is safely vented to atmosphere. Should there, forexample, be a build-up of gas pressure in the bore 246, the inner cap262 is lifted away from the first body member 210 against the bias ofthe compression spring 276 and gas is allowed to escape past an O-ringsealing member 284 and flow out of the second body member 212 via thethird internal chamber 264 and vent passages 286 provided in the secondbody member 212. In normal operation of the closure device 206, theO-ring seal 284 prevents such flow and venting of gas and this eventoccurs through, say, the apertures 260 in the piston rod 258 becomingblocked. On the other hand, should an excess pressure be created in thefirst internal chamber 214 (if, for example, the gas capsule itself isfilled to too great a pressure) the first body member 210 is providedwith a bursting disc 288 in communication with the first internalchamber 214. The bursting disc 288 is typically provided with anexternal cap 290 protecting the bursting disc 288 from external damage.

The previously mentioned shut-off valve 248 is provided at an upperregion (as shown) of the closure device 206. The shut-off valve 248typically comprises the previously-mentioned valve member (or head) 282which when the shut-off valve 248 is in a closed position makes asealing engagement with a valve seat 292, typically formed integrallywith the second body member 212, via a shut-off O-ring valve seal 294.The valve member or head 282 is displaceable against the bias of a discspring 296 to open the shut-off valve. In one typical arrangement, thevalve member or head 282 is provided with an axial rod 299 which may beformed integral with the valve head 282. Engagement of a user device(not shown) with a port 298 at the outlet 236 of the closure device 206can be arranged to cause an actuator (not shown) to bear against a rod299 and force the valve member 282 out of engagement with valve seat 292so as to permit gas to flow out of the closure device from the gas space270. A gas pressure differential is thus created between the pressure inthe gas space 270 and the pressure in the gas space sufficient for thepressure regulating valve 244 to open with the result that gas is ableto be delivered from the capsule 202. Withdrawal of the actuator causesthe bias of the disc spring 296 to close the shut-off valve 248. This inturn causes the pressure-regulating valve 244 to close.

The overall dimensions of the closure device 206 can typically be keptto not greater than 50 mm in height and not greater than 20 mm inmaximum diameter. The closure device 206 is thus, for example, able tobe fitted to and to close a standard pressurised gas capsule 202 of,say, approximately 20 ml water capacity without rendering it difficultto hold the capsule in the hand or carry it about one's person. Becausethe closure device 206 is able to regulate the pressure which gas isdelivered from the capsule, it becomes available for a range of personaluses which have hitherto required a conventional gas cylinder whichcannot readily be carried about ones person.

The closure device 206 is shown in FIG. 2 in its closed position and inFIG. 3 in its open position. The piston head 266 typically travels from1-2 mm between the closed position and a fully open position. The valvemember 282 may have a configuration which facilitates passage of gas inthe open position. As shown in FIG. 3, it may have a chamfered surface302 for this purpose, whereas in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,the valve member 282 is of a frusto-conical configuration for the samereason.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 omits the nozzle 222. When it isrequired to replenish or refill the capsule 202, a probe 310 is insertedin the fill port 220. The probe 310 is provided with an internal sealingmember 312 which is adapted to engage and seal a filling nozzle (notshown) at the end of a filling line (not shown). The probe 310 isprovided with an external groove 314 which is able to receive a circularclamping member (not shown) to prevent accidental disconnection of thefilling line from the probe 310.

In other respects, the embodiment of the closure device 206 shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is essentially the same in configuration and operation asthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or that shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4 theclosure device 206 is shown in its closed position, and in FIG. 5, inits open position.

1. A closure device for a container of compressed gas, the closuredevice comprising a shut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve, and anexternal body housing the shut-off valve and the pressure-reducingvalve, the external body being engageable with the container ofcompressed gas, wherein: (i) the external body comprises a first memberincluding an inlet for the gas and being engageable with the containerof compressed gas and a second member including an outlet for the gasand housing the shut-off valve, the closure device defining a passagewaybetween the gas inlet and the gas outlet, (ii) the first member of theexternal body has a first internal chamber housing a fill valveincluding an inner body member, the first internal chamber communicatingwith the interior of the container when the closure device is inengagement therewith, (iii) the first member of the external body has afill port communicating with the first internal chamber, and (iv) theinner body member defines part of said passageway and a seat for thepressure-reducing valve.
 2. A closure device according to claim 1,comprising a retaining nut for retaining the inner body member inposition.
 3. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the firstinternal chamber communicates with a bursting disc housed in the firstmember of the external body.
 4. A closure device according to claim 1,wherein the pressure-reducing valve comprises an inner cap housed withinthe external body, the inner cap bounding in part a second internalchamber within the external body, the second internal chamber being incommunication with the gas inlet when the pressure-reducing valve isopen; and a spring-loaded piston contained within the external body, thepiston comprising a piston head and a piston rod, the piston rodincluding a conduit forming part of the passageway and providingcommunication between the second internal chamber and a gas spacebetween the piston head and the shut-off valve, wherein the piston headis operable to move between a closed configuration in which the pistonrod prevents communication between the gas inlet and the second internalchamber and an open configuration in which the piston rod permitscommunication between the gas inlet and the second internal chamber. 5.A closure device according to claim 4, when the piston head is in asealing engagement with the first member of the external body via apiston head seal and the piston rod is in a sealing engagement with theinner cap via a piston rod seal contained within the second internalchamber, the piston rod seal being held in a fixed position within thesecond internal chamber.
 6. A closure device according to claim 4,wherein the first member of the external body comprises a collar, andthe piston rod seal is held between the collar and the inner cap.
 7. Aclosure device according to claim 6, wherein the passageway extendsthrough the collar.
 8. A closure device according to claim 4, wherein afirst part of the passageway terminates in an orifice adjacent to thesecond internal chamber, and the piston rod comprises a sealing pin atan end remote from the piston head, the piston head being arrangedwithin the external body so that the sealing pin seals the orifice whenthe piston is in the closed position.
 9. A closure device according toclaim 8, wherein the sealing pin has a tip which is chamfered to apoint, and the piston rod is arranged within the external body so thatthe tip of the sealing pin enters into and seals the orifice when thepiston is in the closed position.
 10. A closure device according toclaim 4, wherein the pressure reducing valve further comprises acompression spring arranged within the external body to bias the pistontowards the open position.
 11. A closure device according to claim 10,wherein the compression spring encircles the inner cap and extendsbetween a surface of the inner gap and a surface of the piston head. 12.A closure device according to claim 6, wherein the inner cap is in asealing engagement with the first external body member via an inner capseal, whereby build-up of pressure within the second internal chamber isoperable to cause the sealing engagement to break, permitting gas withinthe second internal chamber to be vented via a relief aperture providedin the second external body member.
 13. A closure device according toclaim 1, wherein the shut-off valve comprises a spring-loaded head whichwhen the shut-off valve is in a closed position makes a sealingengagement with a valve seat via a shut-off valve seal, but which isdisplaceable against the bias of the spring to open the shut-off valve.14. A closure device according to claim 13 wherein the spring of theshut-off valve is a disc spring.
 15. A closure device according to claim1, wherein the device has a maximum diameter of less than 20 mm.
 16. Acontainer of compressed gas fitted with a closure device comprising ashut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve, and an external bodyhousing the shut-off valve and the pressure-reducing valve, the externalbody being engageable with the container of compressed gas, wherein: (i)the external body comprises a first member including an inlet for thegas and being engageable with the container of compressed gas and asecond member including an outlet for the gas and housing the shut-offvalve, the closure device defining a passageway between the gas inletand the gas outlet. (ii) the first member of the external body has afirst internal chamber housing a fill valve including an inner bodymember, the first internal chamber communicating with the interior ofthe container when the closure device is in engagement therewith, (iii)the first member of the external body has a fill port communicating withthe first internal chamber, and (iv) the inner body member defines partof said passageway and a seat for the pressure-reducing valve.
 17. Acontainer according to claim 16, wherein the closure device is in weldedengagement with the container.
 18. A container according to claim 17,wherein the container is a gas capsule having a water capacity of 5 mlup to 100 ml.